FIRST-STRING Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

first-string

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ

Definition of first-string

as in excellent

of the very best kind a first-string rendition of the musical piece

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of first-string Defensively, the Falcons played much of their first-string front seven, or at least rotational players, throughout the first half. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Burrow and the first-string offensive line played two series, with the franchise quarterback going 5 of 6 for 39 yards. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 With Hollins and Boutte absent and Brown still on the Eagles, Doubs, Williams, Chism and Douglas received most of the first-string work at wide receiver. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026 After years of learning the techniques of a long snapper, Olson earned a first-string spot at the position for Orange Lutheran and joined the Trojans in 2015 as a walk-on player. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first-string

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string

Adjective

Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s legal thriller starring podcast favorite Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan; Hope, an action film starring Squid Game breakout Hoyeon; and Gentle Monster, led by an excellent Léa Seydoux.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Servite 0-1 (62) The Friars lost to an excellent Centennial of Corona team, 41-21, in Rick Garretson’s first game as Servite’s head coach.

— Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

The First Miami Presbyterian Church, home to the city’s oldest congregation, sits on a prime slice of waterfront real estate in Brickell.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
The entire hardware system has obtained prime-level safety certification from TÜV.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of prime

Adjective

From the beginning of its run in September 1992, the cartoon had built its reputation on being a stellar adaptation of the Dark Knight’s mythology.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
That picture-perfect scenario, however, hinges in my mind on how fast USC’s stellar freshman class rounds into form.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stellar

Adjective

Head baker Lou Turner (formerly pastry chef at Obelix, a French bistro in the city’s River North) churns out superb pastries that invite obsession.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
The winery is also known for superb musical performances that Paine gets through his relationship with a top tier entertainment manager.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of superb

Adjective

Rivera-Vega is suspected of setting the fire and also had been charged with arson causing great bodiliy injury before the woman died.

— Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Starting the election calendar in South Carolina is intended in part to give Black voters a greater voice at the outset of the nominating process.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

first-rateness

first-string

firth

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Style

“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of first-string

adjective

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